Deion Sanders is a trailblazer in every sense of the term, across a multitude of ‘trails’. When he played snaps on offense and special teams as a player, he laid the groundwork for his protege Travis Hunter to follow suit.He’s giving back to the game as a head coach too. Prime forayed into the coaching realm through an HBCU. This sowed the seeds that other NFL vets such as DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick and Eddie George are now reaping the rewards off. The latest unprecedented idea off the Deion Sanders conveyor belt has seen Penn State HC James Franklin become not just a proponent, but an early adopter. The premise is simple- make spring football a little more fun and a lot more worthwhile. But scratch the surface and there’s trouble simmering underneath.
Coach Prime floated a rather intriguing suggestion during one of his spring pressers with Colorado. He proposed and simultaneous extended an open invitation for a program to come down to Boulder and practice alongside. Even hold a joint-scrimmage that will replace the traditional inter-program spring game. This would be more akin to OTAs in the NFL. The rationale behind this idea is multifold. Deion alluded to how players will intrinsically feel more motivated, aiding growth and development. Break “monotony”, he said. From a coach’s perspective, it’ll allow them to guage better where their team stands relative to others. What facets need work. Coaches can even add to their repertoire by learning in proximity from each other. Plus, the fans will be treated to a competitive showdown and a teaser of what’s to come.
This does feel like a win/win across the board. After Deion’s plea, Syracuse HC Fran Brown agreed to bring his team over to Colorado for this duet. It’s been reported that the teams have lodged paperwork with the NCAA, asking for permission. James Franklin saw this transpire and hopped onto the bandwagon. In the aftermath of this, Coach Franklin and Penn State have reportedly approached Temple. Hoping to have their in-state school take the short trip to College Station. The aforementioned remit and benefits still stand. However, insider Thomas Frank Carr has thrown caution to the wind. He brought up a glaring issue that’s going to make things very messy if this joint-spring ordeal is greenlit. He implied how James Franklin could land into some trouble with the powers that be over the Blue White Illustrated YouTube channel.
“I find the idea interesting from a transfer portal perspective. because you get an up close look at some Temple guys. [What if] you’re like, ‘Hey. That guy could help us. He looks like he’s a player.’ Does that incite a conversation?” remarked Thomas Frank Carr. While he didn’t say it explicitly, this obviously points to potential tampering. Given the transfer portal reopens right after spring, a Temple player- for instance- can be coerced into hitting the portal and jumping ship if, say, James Franklin likes them. “Unless we get to a point where revenue sharing has contracts and obligations involved it, there’s nothing that says that can’t happen…If I had that thought, definitely another coach has had that thought,” he added.
The advent of the portal has fanned the flames of the gulf that exists between blue-chip programs like PSU and relative minnows like Temple. Schools towards the top of the food chain can lure players away from the proverbial bottom-feeders using their NIL arsenals. A reverse Robin Hood or sorts. Talent which was found and nurtured against the odds at Temple, but shall prosper for the already prosperous Nittany Lions. T-Frank also acknowledged the inverse scenario. A Penn State player who finds himself down in the depth chart and decides to switch allegiances to Temple. Someone whom they don’t want to lose, but got wooed away. James Franklin needs to remain wary of this double-edged sword if this joint-practice does indeed come along. Maybe the traditional Blue and White game isn’t too bad after all! With all this baked in, will this idea actually get implemented this off-season?
Insider sheds light on if James Franklin’s wishes will be reciprocated with a “Yes”
During the same discussion, Thomas Frank Carr’s co-host Greg Pickel discerned whether the Penn State-Temple joint-spring will see the light of day. It is noteworthy that Deion Sanders is confident his Colorado team will indeed get the go-ahead to host Syracuse. Addressing his players after the Buffs’ final practice before spring break, Prime said “This thing may very well happen… We may very well have spring practices and a spring game against another opponent. It may very well happen. It looks really good right now.”
Given its unprecedented nature, many believed the idea- as great as it is- will take time to materialize. That’s the side Pickel is on. He’s leaning towards James Franklin’s wishes not being fulfilled by the powers that be just yet. He believes things are headed in that direction, but not in the midst of the current off-season. “This is probably the final spring where it looks like a spring from the past, or that we’re all used to…it would not shock me at all if this is the last traditional spring we see from Penn State and its peers across College Football.” remarked Pickel.
Penn State are currently being tipped by fans and experts alike to make another deep playoff run. Well, James Franklin will hope this one doesn’t end in the nightmarish fashion last season’s did in the Orange Bowl. In fact, Coach Franklin has already given QB1 Drew Allar a list of things he needs to improve upon from that evening. Things are on the up in Happy Valley. You sure don’t want a tampering scandal to blemish the mood around the program. Let’s just be cordial if we’ve got guests over, shall we?
The post James Franklin Warned of Dire Consequences as Reports Confirm PSU HC’s Push for Temple Spring Game appeared first on EssentiallySports.
